Nutmeg-grater



Patented May 5, 1896.

M. H. SEXTO N. NUTMEG GRATER.

{N0 M-o deLf fig 2.

UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

MICHAEL II. SEXTON, OF UTICA, NEIV YORK.

NUTIVIEG-GRATER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 559, 543, dated May 5, 1896. Application filed February 1, 1896; Serial No. 577,681. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, lVIICHAEL I-I. SEXTON, of the city of Utica, county of Oneida, and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Nutmeg- Graters andIdo hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,and the figures of reference marked thereon, forming a part of this specification.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows a perspective view of my grater. Fig. 2 shows a plain edge view of the same. Fig. 3 shows the holding-fingers removed from the rest of the construction. Fig. at shows the feeding-sprin g employed in the device.

Referring to the figures of reference marked on the drawings in a more particular description of the device, 1 indicates the body or base, which is preferably of wood and substantially of the form shown in the drawings, and in one side of the base-body, adjacent to one end,.isprovided a transverse groove 2, extending across the body. Secured over the groove 2is the grater proper, 3, which is preferably formed on one end of a sheet-metal piece 4, which is bent around the end of the body, forming a barrel or receptacle 5, and is secured on the under side at 6 t0 the body portion of the device. I

The spring holding-fingers 7 7 are preferably formed of one piece, as shown, and so bent and formed together as to receive the pivot-pin 8, on which they are mounted, which pin is secured firmly in the body of the device. A pivot or bolt 9 may be em ployed to draw the fingers together adjacent to the pivot 8. The outer or swinging edge of fingers 7 are bent and formed substantially as shown to adapt them to grip the nutmeg on the sides. The length of the fingers and the location of the pivot-pin 8 are such that the swinging edge of the fingers will move backward and forward over the grater-surface 3.

Upon the top of the pivot-pin 8, and secured by its head, is mounted the feedingspring 10, which is bowed upwardly, and extends over so that its free end is adapted to press upon the top of a nutmeg held between the ends of the fingers 7. The end of this spring is also adapted to pass between the ends of the fingers 7 in feeding the nutmeg as it is grated.

The operation of the device is quite simple and obvious; but it might be well to :note that in the operation the operator holds the device in one hand, with its body preferably at an angle of about forty-five degrees, and the discharge end of the groove, or more properly the trough or chute, in the desired position, when with the other hand the operator takes hold of the fingers 7 7 by their sides, and presses with the index-finger upon the spring 10, thereby increasing the feed, if desired, while at the same time the fingers 7 and the spring 10 swing backward and forward, carrying the nutmeg and grating the same on the grater-surface.

Practically all of the grated nutmeg passes through the openings of the metal surface 3, and is discharged at 2. It will also be noted that the ends of the holding-fingers 7 operate in veryclose proximity to the grater-surface 3, and continually grasp the nutmeg by its sides and follow the shape thereof, and that the feeding-spring 10, operating between the ends of the feeding-fingers 7, will follow the nutmeg until it is entirely grated up.

A nutmeg may be placed in the fingers for the purpose of grating, by springing up and swinging to either side the spring 10, when a nutmeg may be placed between the fingers 7 from the upper side and the spring 10 replaced; or a nutmeg may be placed in position by swinging the fingers 7 and the spring 10 so that the ends project beyond the side of the body, when the nutmeg maybe inserted in place from the under side of the fingers.

The barrel 5 may be covered or stopped at each end and used as a receptacle for extra nutmegs.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a nutmeg-grater, a body having a grater-surface, and a pair of holding-fingers pivoted to the body, substantially as set forth.

2. In a nutmeg-grater, a body having a grater-surface, a pair of pivoted holding-fingers, and feed-spring, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of a body having a grater-surface, a pair of spring holding-fingers pivoted to the body, and a feed-spring, substantially as set forth.

4. A grater-body, having a grater-surface, and a trough or chute under the grater-surface, in combination with a pair of spring holding-fingers, pivoted to the body, substantially as set forth.

5. The grater-body, having grater-surface; the spring holding-fingers mounted on the fixed pivot in the body, and having thin,

swinging ends arranged to operate over the grater-surface, and the upwardly-bowed feeding-spring secured on the same pivot,

/ with the fingers combined, substantially as set forth.

In Witness whereof I have affixed my signature in presenee of two Witnesses. 

